Wednesday in the Word

Today isn't really a study in the Word but rather some good ole, down home encouragement (good news, though! Glenda is coming BACK...after Christmas...yeehawwww!). :)

On the heels of concentrating on the things for which we have to be THANKFUL, maybe you're starting to feel like you need a paper bag into which you would promptly hyperventilate if you could take a break from cleaning up from Thanksgiving, Christmas decorating, getting Christmas cards ready, Christmas shopping, preparing for holiday parties, maintaining the routine day to day...you catch my drift. Yes, we all know (and I'm in no way minimizing) we need to take a deep breath and concentrate on the meaning of Christmas...Jesus' birth...but he wasn't just born. He came to bring us JOY! We can experience and have that joy even when we're starting to feel like mom of the year (not), ho hum, lonely, under appreciated and, yes, in our menial tasks.

I love this poem by Ruth Bell Graham.

For all these smallnesses, I thank You, Lord:

small children
and small needs;
small meals to cook
small talk to heed,
and a small book
from which to read
small stories;
small hurts to heal,
small disappointments, too,
as real
as ours;
small glories to discover
in bugs,
pebbles,
flowers.

When day is through
my mind is small,
my strength is gone;
and as I gather
each dear one
I pray, “Bless each
for Jesus’ sake—
such angels sleeping,
imps awake!”
What wears me out
are little things:
angels minus
shining wings.
Forgive me, Lord,
if I have whined—
it takes so much
to keep them shined;
yet each small rub
has its reward,
for they have blessed me.

Thank you,
Lord.

A couple of weeks ago my mom and I saw Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. When SCC talked to the moms of the crowd and shared his appreciation from a male, son, husband, father point of view, I knew I had to share it with YOU. Be encouraged today as you have already raised or are in the process of raising one heartbeat at a time. You can do it! He will give you what you need...including JOY! God bless you, my sisters.

You are my God...have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.--Psalm 86:3-4